Overview
- The Oval Office video, released Tuesday evening, shows Trump reading 2 Chronicles 7:11–22.
- Analysts say verse 7:14 is a staple for Christian nationalists and was invoked during the January 6 Capitol unrest.
- The White House called the reading an exercise of religious freedom, while critics questioned using an official venue for sectarian scripture.
- The appearance is part of America Reads the Bible, a weeklong America 250 effort run by Christians Engaged and the Museum of the Bible that also features Pete Hegseth and Sen. Marco Rubio.
- The act comes during a public clash with Pope Leo XIV after a deleted AI image of Trump as Jesus drew outrage among Christians.